School of Agriculture College of Business and Technology Knoblauch Hall 145 Macomb, IL 61455-1390 June 26, 2014 Dear Beef Producer, Entries are now open for the 2014 2015 Western Illinois University Bull Testing Program, and we wholeheartedly invite you to participate. Our last five sales have posted record averages and totals. In fact, the 2014 sale was a record high average with the second highest gross ever. Many of the bulls sell to repeat buyers attesting to the success of the program and the satisfaction of buyers. We've also worked hard at controlling costs in these difficult times and hope to improve on this as well. The index this year will be calculated as follows Index = 70% ADG ratio + 15% Marbling ratio + 15% REA ratio. We are moving forward to obtain funding for new feed intake units to resume feed efficiency testing for future tests. This information would be useful to you as breeders, to your respective breed associations, and to us as an institution of education and research. We would welcome any comments that you may have. Health Requirements 1. SUREHEALTH certified including Hemopholis Somnus a. See Veterinarian Sheet for SUREHEALTH details. b. The health requirements are not complicated to implement and certify, but do require some planning ahead in order to meet the requirements and get certified in a timely manner 2. Weaned by August 15, 2014 3. Tested for anaplasmosis 4. To address the concern about Johne s Disease, bulls must meet one of the following requirements: a. The birth mother of the bull must test negative for Johne s, or b. If the herd is 30 cows or less, then all 30 cows must test negative, or c. If the herd is greater than 30 cows, at least 30 must be sampled and all of those tested must be negative. * In the case of ET calves, the recipient cow will be considered the dam of the bull in regard to testing, NOT the donor cow.
Health Requirements cont d 5. All bulls will be screened for persistent BVD upon arrival at the test station. Any bull testing positive will be removed from the station to protect the health of remaining bulls. 6. Pedigree proven free or tested free of known genetic defects including, but not limited to, arthrogryposis multiplex (AM), neuropathic hydrocephalus (NH), and osteopetrosis (OS). Provide test results or pedigree documentation from your breed association. Bulls that are known (tested or pedigree) carriers of the developmental duplication (DD) condition will be allowed to participate in the test, and they will be marked as carriers of the condition in the sale catalog and any mailings prior to sale. 7. Any bulls coming in at delivery with ringworm will be charged an additional $100. As we have done in the past, we are going to include the ultrasound data into each breed's EPD database when possible. The guidelines that must be met for your data to be included are listed below, as established by your breed association. Please be assured that all bulls will be scanned at the same time, by the same person, and all images will be read by the same person, regardless of whether or not your data can be included in your breed's database. In order for your bull to be listed on the ultrasound barn sheet, he must have had a weaning weight submitted to the association. Please be sure to have submitted this information to the association, if you have not already done so prior to delivery. To be included in the database, the following requirements must be met: 1. For all breeds, there must be two bulls from the same contemporary weaning group 2. Bulls must be born in the following timeframe to meet the age requirement when scanned on approximately January 20, 2015 Breed Born After January 1, 2014 and No Later Than Age in Days at Scan Angus 3/6/14 320 440 Charolais 3/6/14 320 430 Chianina 3/6/14 320 440 Gelbvieh 3/6/14 320 480 Hereford 3/25/14 301 530 Limousin 3/26/14 300 450 Maine Anjou 2/24/14 330 440 Red Angus 3/6/14 320 440 Salers 2/24/14 330 450 Shorthorn 3/6/14 320 440 Simmental 3/26/14 300 440 South Devon 3/6/14 320 440 If your breed is not listed above, please contact me and I will find out what the restrictions and qualifications are for your breed.
The enclosed agreement form lists the rules and regulations for this year's test. Please read it carefully we hope you find it agreeable and that the testing program will provide you with the information you need on your bulls. Also enclosed is an application form for the upcoming test. The application deadline is August 31, 2014. If you have any questions or comments about the guidelines or testing program in general, please feel free to contact Dr. Samantha (Sam) Cunningham. Contact information can be found at the end of the agreement form. In addition to the Merial SUREHEALTH form, as mentioned above, you ll need to bring a completed supplemental health form when the bulls are delivered. This form is also enclosed. Delivery dates are September 29 and 30, 2014. We want to make the WIU bull testing program the premier bull testing program in the United States and can do so with your help as partners in this program. Please be sure to enter your bulls by the August 31 deadline. Again, feel free to contact me anytime. Sincerely, Samantha Cunningham Samantha (Sam) Cunningham Cell 979 220 5681 Email s cunningham@wiu.edu Summary of entry requirements Other 1. Born between January 1 and March 31, 2014 (bulls born later than March 15 tend to be less competitive) 2. Weaned by August 15, 2014 3. Weigh a minimum of 500 pounds at delivery on September 29 or October 30, 2014 (bulls less than 600 pounds at delivery tend to be less competitive) 4. SUREHEALTH certified 5. Tested for anaplasmosis 6. Birth mother tested for Johnes or come from certified Johnes free herd 7. Free of known genetic defects (read the guidelines regarding DD) 1. Bulls with ringworm at delivery will be charged an additional $100 2. Please prescreen your bulls for scrotal adequacy and structural correctness (we have found that any of those issues, even minor ones, never improve but only get worse as the bulls develop) 3. Insurance on bulls, if desired, is the responsibility of the breeder none is carried on them by WIU.
2014-2015 WIU Bull Test Calendar May 21, 2014 June 26, 2014 August 2, 2014 August 15, 2014 August 31, 2014 September 29-30, 2014 October 20-21, 2014 November 17, 2014 December 15, 2014 January 12, 2015 January 20, 2015 February 7, 2015 February 9-10, 2015 March 13, 2015 Advisory Meeting @ WIU Livestock Center @ 6:30 PM Mail Test Information to Breeders Last Date for First Vaccinations Last Weaning Date and Booster Vaccinations Entries Due Deliver Bulls Start Test 28-Day Weights 56-day Weights 84-Day Weights Scan Bulls WIU Bull Test Open House during WIU Farm Expo @ WIU Bull Test Facility; Time TBD Complete Test 112-days 43rd Annual Sale @ WIU Livestock Center @ 7 PM 1 mile west of Highway 67 on Tower Road; Macomb, IL Advisory Meeting prior to the sale (time TBD)
Agreement for the W.I.U. Bull Testing Program 1. The purposes of the WIU Bull Test are to provide reliable, unbiased performance information on bulls entered into the program and to provide a source of performance tested seedstock to the beef industry. 2. Bulls must have been born between January 1 and March 31, 2014, have a recorded birth weight, and weigh a minimum of 500 pounds at delivery on September 29 or 30, 2014. 3. The testing fee is $175 per bull -- $100 per bull is due with the entry application, with the additional $75 payable at delivery of the bull. Consignors with two bulls accepted will receive a $10 per head discount from the $75 per head delivery payment. Consignors with three or more bulls accepted will receive a $15 per head discount from the $75 per head delivery payment. 4. The testing capacity of the station is 70 bulls -- 5 pens with 12 bulls each, and one pen with a 10 head capacity, as it is a smaller pen. 5. The entry deadline is a postmark of August 31, 2014. Entries postmarked after August 31 will be accepted by a drawing if room is still available after acceptance of all entries received by the deadline. 6. The entry fee will be refunded only if the bull is not accepted due to reaching capacity of the station, or, in the case of illness to a bull, a replacement entry can be found from another breeder. 7. At delivery, each consignor must present the Merial SUREHEALTH form and enclosed health form completed by their veterinarian. Each bull will be tested for persistent BVD within one week of delivery. Any bull testing positive will be removed from the station. 8. Bulls must be delivered to the test station with veterinarian completed health forms, blood test results, registration papers or applications, the remaining test fees and a $200 per bull feed/health deposit on either Monday, September 29 or Tuesday, September 30, 2014 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Horned bulls should be healed from dehorning. Bulls with ringworm at delivery will be charged an extra $100. 9. Bulls must be free of known genetic defects including but not limited to arthrogryposis multiplex (AM), neuropathic hydrocephalus (NH), and osteopetrosis (OS). Provide either DNA test results or pedigree documentation from your breed association. Bulls that are known (tested or pedigree) carriers of the developmental duplication (DD) condition will be allowed to participate in the test, and they will be marked as carriers of the condition in the sale catalog and any mailings prior to sale. 10. Feed and health costs during the testing period will be based on the individual. Preliminary and post-test period feed and health costs, plus all other costs not attributable to an individual will be pro-rated per head. 11. Billing statements will be updated at each 28-day weight period. Any balance due is payable prior to the next billing period or becomes subject to a 1% interest charge per month. This will be enforced. 12. There will be a minimum sale bid of $1000 on each bull. 13. Owners of the tested bulls must be members of the Illinois Beef Association or National Cattlemen's Beef Association. 14. All costs must be paid before any bull can be removed from the station. Bulls may be removed only by permission of test station personnel.
15. Bulls will be fed free choice long hay at arrival. During the preliminary period, they will receive a receiving ration which will be gradually substituted by the testing ration so that only the testing ration will be fed at the time bulls officially begin test. 16. The testing period will last 112 days. The official on-test weight will be the averages of weights taken on Monday, October 20, and Tuesday, October 21, 2014. The official off-test weight will be the averages of weights taken on Monday, February 9 and Tuesday, February 10, 2015. Progress report weights will be taken every 28 days on November 17, December 15 and January 12. All bulls will be ultrasounded on approximately January 20. 17. At the conclusion of the testing period, bulls will be fed the testing ration, plus free choice long hay. 18. Bulls will be indexed by breed group (if there are more than four of a breed) as well as against all bulls on test. Both indexes are based on 70% ADG ratio + 15% Marbling ratio + 15% REA ratio. 19. Approximately 50 bulls will be selected for the sale, based on their within-breed index. However, to be eligible for the sale, all bulls must have an across-breed index of at least 80, a minimum adjusted scrotal circumference of 32 cm, be screened for disposition, pass a soundness exam based on the University of Missouri scoring system, and pass a reproductive exam. Retests for the reproductive exam will be performed during the week prior to the sale. The 43rd Annual Sale will be at the WIU Livestock Center on Friday evening, March 13, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. All bulls that go through the sale will be charged a prorated share of the sale expenses. 20. Sale order will be based strictly on index rank. 21. All bulls selected for the sale must go through the sale unless excused for health reasons. At least 1/3 interest must be offered for sale. If full interest is not to be sold, 60-day advance notice is required. 22. All data will be public information and the Western Illinois University School of Agriculture has the right to use the records for research purposes. 23. Neither Western Illinois University, nor its employees are liable for loss, injury or reduced value of bulls entered on test. 24. Insurance on bulls, if desired, is the responsibility of the breeder -- none is carried on them by WIU. 25. The sale catalog will include information on average daily gain, frame score, pelvic measurement, scrotal circumference, fat depth, ribeye area, birthweight, date of birth, color, horned/polled, beginning and ending test weights, and marbling, plus indexes where applicable. It will also include pedigree and EPD information for birthweight, weaning weight, yearling weight, milk and maternal weaning weight, with percentiles where applicable. 26. The test station supervisor is: Dr. Samantha (Sam) Cunningham School of Agriculture B12 Knoblauch Hall Western Illinois University Macomb, IL 61455 Cell: 979-220-5681 Email: s-cunningham@wiu.edu Office: 309-298-1288
Western Illinois University Bull Test Veterinarian Sheet CONSIGNORS PLEASE GIVE THIS SHEET TO YOUR VETERINARIAN BY JULY 10, 2014 This sheet is to provide veterinarians working with producers that are consigning a bull(s) to the 2014 15 Western Illinois Bull Test Station. Please follow these instructions carefully. The steps for processing the certification can only be done by the veterinarian, not the producer. Cattle work can be done by producer if approved by veterinarian, but the paperwork can only be completed by a vet. 1. MERIAL SUREHEALTH is the proven preconditioning requirement. We have taken this step to reduce respiratory problems and to reduce the cost billed to breeders if bulls become sick with respiratory disease within the first 21 days of reaching the test facility. The results of choosing SUREHEALTH for the Bull Test have been both a saving to the producers and greatly improved the overall health of the bulls. The required products from MERIAL include: IVOMEC Pour On; IVOMEC EPRINEX; IVOMEC Injectable or IVOMEC Plus. Respishield HM is the required Pasturella Vaccine. Vets may use any Respiratory vaccines and any 7 way. For more, information on SUREHEALTH, please visit http://surehealth.us.merial.com/. 2. All Bulls must have a SUREHEALTH, Veterinarian Certification and SUREHEALTH tag to enter the test (tag can be attached to another tag in the animal). A herd ID number can serve as the SUREHEALTH tag number; however that number MUST appear on the SUREHEALTH certification. Bulls must be weaned for 45 days, on or before August 15. A copy of the SUREHEALTH Certification must be brought to the bull test when bulls are delivered. SUREHEALTH REQUIRMENTS: Calves must be weaned by August 15 (45 days required). Calves must be de wormed with IVOMEC Brand Products. Calves must receive 2 doses of Cattle Respiratory Vaccine. Vaccines from manufacturers other than Merial are acceptable. Vaccines can be given pre wean then follow up with booster or at weaning with booster. Calves must have 2 doses of 7 Way Clostridial/Blackleg Vaccine from any manufacturer. Calves must have 1 dose of Pasteurella Vaccine from MERIAL Respishield HM. Calves must have 2 doses of Hemopholis Somnus (often in combination with 7 way). This is an optional part of SUREHEALTH; however, WIU is requiring this vaccine in 2014 2015. Calves must be bunk and water broke. Horned cattle must be tipped or dehorned. All cattle must be VETERINARIAN CERTIFIED This step can only be completed by a veterinarian, not the producer.
HOW TO CERTIFY SUREHEALTH CATTLE: 1. Call MERIAL or your Distributor Partner to order IVOMEC and compliant Vaccines in JULY (also best savings for your practice and producer). Call Merial to obtain approved SUREHEALTH tags; but again, a herd tag is acceptable as long as the SureHealth paperwork has that number listed. 2. Certification can be done online (preferred) or by manually filling out the certification form and mailing or faxing to Merial a. Online certification 1. Go to http://surehealth.us.merial.com/certifying.html 2. Click on: Vets click here to register cattle 3. Login with the First Time Login information below: Email: Password 1) If you logged on last year you should have the passwords that you had chosen 2) or call 888 637 4251 option 1 and then option 2 for Large Animal Customer Care and they will provide you with passwords. 4. This step will take you to a registration page where you will set up your own/personal login for future use. Select VET as your Clinic Role in order to access SureHealth forms. 5. After you have submitted your registration, you will be taken to the Vet Prof homepage. Click the SureHealth button to register cattle. b. Certifying by mail or fax 1. Go to http://surehealth.us.merial.com/certifying.html 2. Click under the Surehealth logo where it says: Click here for the printable PDF version of the Surehealth Certification form 3. Print and fill out the certification form 4. Mail completed form to: Merial Surehealth Certified Calf Preconditioning Program PO Box 1291 Platte City, MO 64079 5. Or fax completed form to: Merial Surehealth Certified Calf Preconditioning Program Fax 866 515 5799 6. Please allow 3 4 weeks to obtain completed certificate by mail or fax A printable certification form can be found online at http://www.surehealth.com/sitecollectiondocuments/certification_enrollment_form.pdf If you have trouble getting the form to print, or if you have questions, please contact Dr. Cunningham. An approved Certificate from MERIAL is the only certificate accepted, not hand written or an incomplete enrollment form. A certification from MERIAL (fax) or off the web site will be accepted.
2014 2015 WIU Bull Test Health Protocol Form Name Address City State Zip Code Phone E mail Bull #1 Bull #2 Bull #3 Bull #4 Tag No. Registration Tattoo Birth Date Birth Weight Date Weaned Weaning Weight Vaccinations (in addition to the Merial SureHealth program certificate): Haemophyllis somnus (2 doses) Leptospirosis (5 way) Vibrio Anaplasmosis blood test Johne s test (see enclosed entry letter for information on the requirements for the Johne s test) OVER
I hereby certify that the above has been performed on the bulls listed. I have examined the bull(s) and found him (them) free of infection, contagious diseases, external parasites, warts, ringworm and mange. Veterinarian name Clinic name Clinic phone Address City Signature State Zip Code Date Bring this completed form, blood test results, SureHealth certificate, and genetic defect documentation when delivering your bull. Note: Illinois now requires out of state animals to have a permit number on the health certificate for entry into Illinois. Your veterinarian can obtain this permit number by calling the Illinois Department of Agriculture at their 24 hour number 217/782 4944.
Entry Form 2014 2015 WIU Bull Testing Program Due August 31, 2014 I have read and agree to the terms in the "Agreement for the W.I.U. Bull Testing Program" and would like to enter bulls in the program as indicated below (please print clearly): Please check the box beside the name you want used In sale catalog And on reports On your check Name Farm Name Address Phone E mail address Breed Birthdate Estimated Weight at delivery Bull #1 Bull #2 Bull #3 Bull #4 Please send this sheet, along with $100 per bull entered to: Bull Testing Program Attn: Sam Cunningham School of Agriculture Western Illinois University Macomb, IL 61455 s cunningham@wiu.edu Cell: 979 220 5681 Office: 309 298 1288
School of Agriculture WIU Bull Test Knoblauch Hall 145 1 University Circle Macomb, il 61455-1390 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED